March 24, 2014

Door to Door Sales

• FL: Collier deputies investigating “suspicious” salesmen
  3.20.14 – WZVN-TV – The questions were: Do you have an alarm? Do you have firearms in the house? How many people live in your dwelling and how many kids do you have? More Info
• MO: Security Scam: Worker tells homeowner ‘Don’t call the cops’
  3.18.14 – FOX 4- Kansas City, Mo. — Residents in one Kansas City neighborhood said they’ve been getting visits from people claiming to be with security company ADT, but they’re really with Vision Security, a Utah-based company that has been at the center of lawsuits… More Info
• TX: Fort Worth Police Warns the Public About Releasing Financial …
  3.20.14 – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth – The Fort Worth Police Department says people should be cautious about releasing financial information to anyone claiming to upgrade your alarm or satellite …More Info

Public Safety Updates

• AZ: False alarm reduction program takes effect in PV
  3.17.14 – Prescott Daily Courier – The Prescott Valley Police Department extended its grace period on the False Alarm Reduction Program for several days last week because of a technical hitch. More Info
• NC: Wilson seeks privacy on false alarms
  3.20.14 – The Wilson Times – City leaders want to know which Wilson residents and businesses have alarm systems, but they don’t want the information they collect to become public knowledge. More Info
• PA: Newtown approves updated fee schedule
  3.18.14 – Marple Newtown County Press – Newtown Supervisors recently approved a fee schedule that includes a new fee for false alarms. More Info
• TX: City looks to stiffen penalties for false burglar alarm calls
  3.18.14 – KXAN 36 Austin – The Austin City Council will ask the city manager to consider fines and penalties for those businesses with a track record of false alarms. More Info
• TX: False Alarms Costing Austin Time, Money
  3.20.14 – KEYE TV Austin – False alarms are costing the City of Austin time and money, which is why council could increase fines for offenders. In the city limits alone there are more than 52,000 registered alarm systems. In 2012 there were 31,760 burglar alarm calls of which 28,500 were false — 37 percent of the false alarms came from unpermitted systems. … More Info
• WA: Police want someone to manage false alarms
  3.22.14 – Bellevue Reporter – The Bellevue Police Department will need to do more to convince city councilmembers it needs a vendor contract for a false alarm management program that would penalize business owners and residents whose faulty alarm systems have been distracting officers from real calls over the past several years. More Info

Industry News

• New NFPA president to be introduced at 2014 NFPA Conference …
  3.17.14 – Security Systems News -Those of particular interest to dealers and installers include sessions titled “Detecting Residential Fires Faster At Lower Sensitivities With Fewer False Alarms,” … More Info
• Without proper security measures, smart homes are just begging to be targets
  3.18.14 – Computerworld Singapore – As our world becomes increasingly connected via the Internet, it only seems logical that the interconnectivity would eventually permeate our homes. More Info
• Industrial Design: Has Nest Taught us Nothing?
  3.17.14 – CEPro – It seems most consumers buy Nest thermostats because they look cool, not because they’re so smart. So, then, why do we keep making ugly CE products? More Info
• Consumers concerned over Verizon, AT&T VoIP-only transition
  3.19.14 – FierceTelecom – Plans by AT&T and Verizon to shut down copper-based networks in favor of VoIP-only service are drawing concerns from consumers who worry that IP-only will interfere with services like burglar alarms, emergencies and fire alarm systems that depend on copper-based services. Some are even worried about losing copper-based Internet connections. More Info
• Security industry share of smart home market to be cut in half by 2019, report says
  3.19.14 – Security Systems News – New York – Monitored security companies will stay at the top of the U.S. managed smart home market for the next five years, but their market share will drop more than 50 percent by 2019 as competitors such as telecoms and cablecos leverage their own strengths in the space, predicts a new report from ABI Research. Learn the details. More Info
• Study shows 91 percent of IT departments do video surveillance
  3.19.14 – Security Systems News – Chelmsford, Mass.—According to a study commissioned by network video provider Axis Communications, 91 percent of IT departments are involved in the “purchase and operations of

  equipment.” What do the findings show about business intelligence applications and what does this mean for integrators? More Info

• Verizon accused of refusing to fix broken landline phone service
  3.23.14 – Ars Technica – Even a Verizon employee speaks out against forced migrations from copper. More Info

Legislative News

 State & National News

• New data: Volunteerism at an all-time low
  3.17.14 – Event Garde – Volunteerism is on the decline, according to a new report released Feb. 25 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report found that volunteerism fell 1.1 percent in 2013, with a total of 25.4 percent of people reporting some form of volunteerism. This figure is the lowest since the bureau started the survey in 2002. More Info

Business Tips

• 5 Tips to Getting Over Your Fear of Public Speaking
  3.17.14 – Fox Business – Your progression can get interrupted by questions, a fire alarm could go off, the location might be moved or the format could get changed, so be sure to have … More Info
• Six Ways Businesses Are Behind the Times
  3.16.14 – Baseline – Many businesses seem hopelessly behind the technology times. To catch up and keep pace with the digital age, business and IT executives need to focus on these six key areas… More Info
• Business Must Prepare for March Madness
  3.16.14 – Baseline – During the NCAA tournament, millions of workers will take part in office pools and monitor the games at work, which will put the brakes on their productivity and their company’s networks. More Info
• 10 Signs That an Employee is Going to Quit
  3.16.14 – Baseline – There are all types of behavioral clues that workers give when they’re about to quit. Learn how to spot the 10 most important ones–and intervene before it’s too late. More Info
• 5 Unforced Ways to Build and Strengthen Your Network
  3.13.14 – www.inc.com- Admit it. You cringe a little whenever you receive an email from someone you know that starts with: “I was just thinking of you and hope you’re … More Info

Fire News

• BC: Smoke alarm saves life
  3.22.14 – The Powell River Peak – NEW – A house fire last night resulted in what Malaspina Fire Chief Dave Keiver is calling a total loss. At 7:30 Monday night 17 members from the Malaspina Fire Department were called to the home where they found the structure engulfed in flames. More Info
• HI: Homeowner’s son saves house from fire
  3.22.14 – Hawaii Tribune-Herald – Fire officials say the quick thinking of a homeowner’s son saved a Papaaloa residence from burning down this morning due to an electrical fire. More Info
• KS: Statehouse Briefly Evacuated After False Alarm
  3.19.14 – WIBW Topeka – A false alarm sparked the evacuation the Capital Building Tuesday morning. Just before 8 a.m., fire crews were called to the Statehouse on reports of a fire in the Senate Chambers. More Info
• MD: 41 rabbits rescued from Maryland fire need new homes
  3.19.14 – WJLA – The home did not have a working smoke alarm, officials said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, after which they discovered “numerous pets,” including … More Info
• MI: Couple escapes burning home thanks to smoke alarms
  3.17.14 – ABC 57 News – NILES, Mich. — A Michigan couple came away unharmed after a fire broke out in their home. It happened just before 1am Monday… More Info
• NY: Smoke alarm triggers East Avenue closure
  3.18.14 – News 10 NBC Rochester – A portion of East Avenue in Rochester between Chestnut and Scio Street is back open after firefighters say the area was forced to close because of a report of smoke in a high-rise apartment building… More Info
• OH: Family sleeps through smoke alarm, avoids fire
  3.18.14 – Lancaster Eagle-Gazette – A family avoided what could have been a full-fledged fire early Sunday morning after a neighbor saw smoke coming from under their apartment door and called 911. More Info
• UT: Crews respond to fire at Lindon Vivint building
  3.18.14 – FOX 13 Utah – Lindon, Utah — Crews are responding to a fire at the Vivint building in Lindon Tuesday morning. The building is located… More Info

Crime News

• CA: Burglary suspects caught
  3.20.14 – Highland Community News – On Tuesday at about 4:35 a.m., SBPD received a call from store security at the La Curacao regarding unknown subjects forcing entry into the rear of the closed business. Just prior to the arrival of SBPD officers the suspects fled leaving the stolen property on the ground outside the business. More Info
• CA: Cat at smoke shop prompts police response
  3.18.14 – KGTV San Diego – Officers responding to a call of a burglary only found a cat. More Info
• CA: Exclusive: Security Footage Captures Suspected Cat Burglars In Riverside
  3.18.14 – CBS 2 Los Angeles – Riverside police are searching for a pair of cat burglars who’ve been targeting homes in the Canyon Crest area, often while residents slumber inside. More Info
• CT: Police Investigate Seymour Bank Robbery
  3.17.14 – NBC Connecticut – Police received a 911 call from a bank employee as well as a call from the alarm company for the bank reporting a holdup alarm at the same time. The robber … More Info
• IA: Man accused in break-in
  3.18.14 – The Fort Dodge Messenger – A Fort Dodge man has been ordered held on bond after he allegedly broke into one local business and tried to break in to another. More Info
• IN: Lawrence VFW post burglarized, ransacked
  3.21.14 – WISH – According to the police report, the custodian arrived at work early Friday and discovered the alarm system panel on the floor, which had even ripped off the wall. More Info
• KY: 2 charged with burglarizing historic Hunt Morgan House, a …
  3.21.14 – Lexington Herald Leader – Officers went to the house just before midnight after a burglar alarm went off and the alarm company heard sounds inside the building, police spokeswoman … More Info
• MA: Marblehead Resident Reports Bank Fraud
  3.21.14 – Patch.com – At 8:54 a.m., police responded to an alarm. At 11:52 a.m., a resident entered the police station to report that she was the victim of bank … More Info
• MD: Burglary Suspect Killed In Police Pursuit, Shooting Near I-95 Rest Stop
  3.22.14 – CBS Baltimore – Police in Harford County shoot and kill a burglary suspect that led them on a high speed chase ending at a popular Maryland rest stop. More Info
• ME: Suspect’s getaway vehicle gets stuck
  3.17.14 – The Times Record – Orrington (AP) – The owner of an Orrington business says the latest snowstorm thwarted a burglary at his store. Warren Mitchell, owner of Kings Mountain Radio Control hobby shop, says he got a call from a neighbor who heard the store’s alarm go off at about 4 a.m. Thursday. More Info
• MI: Man charged in series of bank break-ins, police shooting
  3.19.14 – ClickOnDetroit – A 21-year-old Detroit man is facing charges in a series of break-ins at banks after Southfield police … More Info
• MI: Police: Intruders break into business, smash through wall to get to …
  3.23.14 – The Ann Arbor News – According to police, the incident took place about 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the 4800 block of Washtenaw Avenue. A business owner reported his alarm company … More Info
• MO: Suspect injured following officer involved shooting in Metro East
  3.18.14 – KMOV St. Louis – (KMOV.com) – A suspect was injured following an officer involved shooting in the Metro East Tuesday morning.   According to the Illinois State Police, at 4:30 a.m. the owner of the St. Clair Food Mart called police because an alarm was going off. A Washington Park officer responded to the call and entered the store where there was “a confrontation” between the suspect … More Info
• MO: Washington Park police officer shoots burglar in convenience store
  3.18.14 – St. Louis Post-Dispatch – The shooting inside a Food Mart. More Info
• MS: Multiple burglaries at Simpson Co. store
  3.20.14 – WLBT 3 Jackson – Security footage showed that two black males had arrived in a dark colored Pontiac and then broke into the store. We are told that Broocks’ Express has been burglarized two other times, similar in nature. More Info
• NC: Deputies respond to false alarm
  3.21.14 – Asheboro Courier Tribune – Randleman — A call reporting a break-in and assault in progress sent a contingent of law enforcement officers before dawn on Thursday. More Info
• NC: Police suspect break-ins along I-40 are related
  3.22.14 – WSOC Charlotte – Statesville police officers responded to an alarm Friday shortly after 3 a.m. at the Verizon Wireless store according to a news release … More Info
• NL: Police chase break and enter suspect
  3.22.14 – The Telegram – An alarm brought police to a local business about 3 a.m. Saturday morning. When the police arrived at the scene, a suspicious vehicle left the … More Info
• NM: Four arrested in Kmart burglary
  3.17.14 – Deming Headlight – According to a police report, at approximately 3:18 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to an alarm call reported to central dispatch coming from the Big Kmart … More Info
• NY: That’s odd: Burglary suspect gets SUV stuck in NY snowbank
  3.18.14 – Press & Sun-Bulletin – Firefighters are battling a two-alarm house fire. – 10:38 am… More Info
• NY: Woodstock break-in results in felony charge against New Paltz man
  3.18.14 – Middletown Times Herald-Record – Woodstock — A New Paltz man broke into a Woodstock home using a large rock Saturday, damaged some property inside and was then caught hiding in the attic, state police say. More Info
• OH: Search For Woman Suspected In Armed Robbery
  3.19.14 – WBNS-10TV Columbus – Franklin County sheriff’s deputies were searching for a woman accused of robbing a Speedway gas station in west Columbus. More Info
• OK: Homeowner shoots at burglars in south Tulsa
  3.19.14 – KJRH-TV Tulsa – An attempted home invasion early Wednesday morning ended when the homeowner fired at the suspects. More Info
• OR: Portland family likely saved by carbon monoxide alarm on first day in new home
  3.23.14 – The Oregonian – The cause was probably improper venting of a water heater and furnace. More Info
• PA: Blawnox robbers trigger alarm as customer scares them off
  3.19.14 – WTAE-TV Pittsburgh – One man is in custody and another is at large after a holdup at a Freeport Road gas station. A cashier says the robbers seemed to know him. More Info
• RI: Break-in reported at Hal’s Auto Garage
  3.23.14 – The Narragansett Times – South Kingstown – Hal’s Auto Garage and Auto Body was broken into on Sunday according to police. South Kingstown police responded to an alarm at the building and found the front door smashed out.  More Info
• SC: Stolen ATM machine found in Fort Mill woods
  3.20.14 – The State – Last Wednesday, deputies were sent to TD Bank on Stone Village Drive between 4 and 5 a.m. after an ATM alarm went off, according to a York County Sheriff’s … More Info
• TN: 2 arrested, suspected of West Knox County burglary spree
  3.22.14 – WATE-TV – “I believe the alarm system did actually scare them off. We have a live operator that comes on over the alarm intercom system that tells you that we know you are … More Info
• TN: Pair caught breaking into business are suspects in 20 more
  3.22.14 – WBIR-TV – In the meantime, dispatch was notified of an alarm at that business. The officers confirmed that the front door of the business had been force open, then stopped … More Info
• TX: Jewelry theft puts a damper Arlington prom for special guests
  3.22.14 – KHOU – Surveillance video shows a man rifling through a storage area for about 30 minutes. He strolls about nonchalantly. He triggered a burglar alarm when he tried to … More Info
• WA: Police drawn by false alarms to North Strabane tower
  3.22.14 – Washington Observer Reporter – Two men working at a fenced-in communications towers in North Strabane Township set off alarms at the site Friday, sending police with their guns drawn to … More Info
• WV: Beckley police looking for attempted break-in suspect
  3.23.14 – WOWK-TV West Virginia – Police need your help to identify a man who tried to break into a local pawn and gun shop early Thursday morning. More Info

The National Monitor is a service of the National Electronic Security Alliance (NESA). Member states are free to reproduce the information contained herein in print or electronic media as they see fit. Contact NESA for more information at 301.519.9237 or bradshipp@4yoursolution.com

NESA is a federation of state associations established to serve and promote the electronic systems industry at the direction of, and through its affiliated state associations. Five state associations are part of NESA – Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (TBFAA), Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (MDBFAA), Kansas Electronic Security Association (KESA), Arkansas Security Alarm Association (ASAA) and Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (OKBFAA). For more info visit www.nesaus.org.

 NESA Board of Directors

• President – Jordon Brown
• Vice President & Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director- Chris Russell
• Secretary- Kathleen Schraufnagel
• Treasurer and Arkansas Security Alarm Assn. Director – Rick Howell
• Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director- Brian Shrake
• Past President –Rex Adams
• Kansas Electronic Security Alliance Director Dan Locke
• Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Director- Rick Spring
• Associate Director- Dean Coburn
• Executive Director- Brad Shipp
• Maryland Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Craig Bober
• Oklahoma Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Danna Fowble
• Texas Burglar & Fire Alarm Assn. Alternate- Chip Bird